The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-11-24

.Dt Il llllt 100.
Zina's mother was the spOkeswOman,
but she expressed her good mans opin-
ion also; and poor Zina's home comfort
was. from this time, completely de-
stroyed between her mothers garru-
lous advocacy of Heinrich's now open
ly declared suit, and her virulent de-
nunciatiOns of her lover.
At last, nearly crazed by the con-
stant strain upon her mind, Una made
sudden resolve. She would leave
home secretly. and go and offer her
self as Il nurse for the wounded sol
diers, and thus by relieving the suf-
ferings OF others mitigate her own an
guish.
Had Conrad's mother been living,
Zina would not have had the heart TO
go, for the lonely old woman had been
dependent on her for many kindly SER
vices. But about week after Con-
RAIDS departure she was found one
morning apparently in 4 deep sleep,
SO peaceful and quiet that at first Zina
hesitated to disturb her; but it was
the slumber that knows no waking.
The death-angel had laid his hand so
| tenderly upon her brow that all the
lines drawn upon it by years of toll
and sorrow had vanished, and the worn
| face seemed to wear Il look of the
eternal youth which had come to her
freed spirit.
Great CONSERVATION prevailed in
| the household when Zina was found to
| be missing. As often happens, when
it was too late to change their course
of action, Zina's parents regretted
| their harshness.
Heinrich, too, felt the pangs of sor-
row and of unavaillng rcmorse as he
saw how useless his plotting had
proved, and that it had brought misery
to the girl he loved. He found that a
true heart will be still true, though the
| object of affection be faulty; that to
hate the sin is not necessarily to hate
the sinner.
As Zina started out alone and un-
protected on her tedious pilgrimage,
oftentimes her heart thrObbed with
fear as she met and passed groups of
rough-loOking men. But her chosen
garb of Il Sister of Charity proved Il
most effectual safeguard. The most
rude and reckless respected its sancti-
ty. and made no attempt to gaze at
the face sheltered in its sombre hood.
When about three days journey
from home she came upon a temporary
hospital which had been fitted up for
the accommodation of the wounded
soldiers. Here she proifered her SER
vices, which were gladly accepted.
She was taken at once into the ranks
of nurses, for the supply was far short
of the demand. For days she worked
faithfully among the poor fellows of
one ward, binding up their wounds,
and lending sympathizfng ear to
their messages for distant friends.
Tnen she was changed to different
ward. As she entered it and glanced
pityingly around, what was her sur
prise to see Conrad's face lying pale
and disiigured upon one of the snowy
pillows.
She gave an involuntary cry, and
started forward. Mingled with her
sorrow ut sight of Shastly wound
which stretched across one cheek and
extended to the temple, was Il surging
tide of joy at the thought that here was
evidence to prove that her confidence
had not been misplaced. No coward
could carry mark like that. He had
received it face to face with his foe.
And conspicuous from its bright-col-
breast. Zina recognized it to be like
the one worn by an aged veteran at
home, who had won it by bravery
which had caused him to be ever after
incapacitated from active duty, but
which had made him the one person in
the place sought out by visitors of not
ability. Often had her tiny fingers
touch the old mans precious badge
4 al
| rad wore one.
With the speed of light these
thoughts and conclusions flashed
through her mind rs she stood beside
his bed. Suddenly his eyes opened and
turned toward her.
"Oh, Conradr' she murmured, sink
ing upon her knees beside him. II
am here! Do you not know your own
Zina?" for wild fear had darted into
her mind as she met his Indifferent un-
meaning stare. Had he been bereft
of reason by that terrible wound?
But, no; he knew the voice and put
forth a hand to grope aimlessly about,
until it closed upon Zina's slender fin
gers. Then he said:
''Thank God that you have come to
me-that can hear you speak once
more before die!"
Don't talk of dying. Icannot bear
it. l have come to take such care OF
you that you will live" sobbed Zina.
II do not wish to live. Do you not
see that am blind? 1t is better for
me to die than to drag out wretched
burdensome existence"
| The girl bent and covered his hand
with passionate kisses.
Blind or not, it matters little to me,
so that you are alive. If you only
could know how l have longed to see
you"
A CLEAN of pleasure shot athwart
Conrad's pale face.
SIS it so, little one?" he said. Then,
after moment, he raised the decora-
ton gained at such fearful price.
See, Zina. Kaiser William gave it
to me with his own hand! But it was
dearly won. / rushed between my
general and an upliftcd sword in the
hands of an assassin just before the
battle"
Noble, brave Conrad" whispered
Zina. ''You are worthy of Il better
wife than poor little Zina. Some rich
titled lady will be asking you to marry
her. But I'll not give you up"
Her words had the desired effect
They brought smile to her lover,
face, and turned his thoughts from
the morbid contemplation of his blind
ness.
From this time, under the stimulus
of hope and happiness, Conrad begaI
to recover. To his great JOY, as hi
strength increased, his eye began t.
discern the difference between ligh
and darkness, and after a time hi
sight returned. The injury proved t.
be coDhned to temporary paralysis
of the optic nerve from the shock o
the dangerous blow.
W. - the kind old Emperor William
heard she story of tine reunited lover
he sent his own chaplain to perform
the wedding ceremony for them, ant
made them a generous present of none,
sufficient to keep them in comfort dur
ing ths rest of their lives.
So lila's faithful love was rewarded
Mt last. Upon her return to her ma
tive village with her young husband
the inhabitants greeted him with al
enthusiastic welcome and bri0ht-face,